Hajji (Arabic: الحجّي; sometimes spelled Hajjeh, Hadji, Haji, Alhaji, Al-Hadj, Al-HajorEl-Hajj) is an honorific title which is given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the HajjtoMecca.
Hajji is derived from the Arabic ḥājj, which is the active participle of the verb ḥajja ("to make the pilgrimage"). The alternative form ḥajjī is derived from the name of the Hajj with the adjectival suffix -ī, and this was the form adopted by non-Arabic languages.[citation needed]
Hajji and its variant spellings are used as honorific titles for Muslims who have successfully completed the HajjtoMecca.[1]
InArab countries, ḥājj and ḥājjah (pronunciation varies by Arabic dialect) is a commonly used manner of addressing any older person respectfully, regardless of whether or not the person in question has actually performed the pilgrimage. It is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take years to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel (particularly before commercial air travel), and in many Muslim societies to a respected man as an honorific title. The title is prefixed to a person's name; for example, Saif Gani becomes "Hajji Saif Gani".[citation needed]
InMalay-speaking countries, Haji and Hajah are titles given to Muslim males and females respectively who have performed the pilgrimage. These are abbreviated as Hj. and Hjh. (in Indonesian, it is H. and Hj.) [citation needed]
InCyprus, the title is so prevalent that it has also been permanently integrated into some Greek Christian surnames, such as Hajiioannou. This is due to Cyprus' long history of Christian and Muslim influence.[citation needed]
The title has also been used in some Jewish communities to honor those who made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem or other holy sites in Israel.[3][failed verification]
In the 21st century, American soldiers began using the term Hajiasslang for Iraqis, Afghans, or Arab people in general. It is used in the way "gook" or "Charlie" was used by U.S military personnel during the Vietnam War.[4][5][6][7]
